January 31, 2013

Vulture reports that Kenneth Branagh (Thor, Jack Ryan) is in talks with Disney to replace recently exited Cinderella director Mark Romanek. Ken recently finished production on his new Jack Ryan film which stars Chris Pine and himself as the villain. They also say that Cate Blachett is still attached for a role. The title role hasn't been locked in but Saoirse Ronan had been in the mix. Ronan had been cast as the lead in Snow White inspired The Order of The Seven until it got the axe.

Deadline reports that Tom Hardy (Inception, Dark Knight Rises) has signed on to star in Daniel Espinosa's (Snabba Cash, Safe House) Child 44. A thriller which could be similar to Hardy's role in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. A security officer and war hero who believes in the Soviet system and the law. That is until he uncovers the existence of a mass murderer, and he is thwarted by that system he has sworn to serve, because they have no interest in acknowledging that murders are taking place in a country perpetuating the myth of a crime free utopia. THR adds that Noomi Rapace (Prometheus) is being looked at for the female lead. Noomi and Tom recently signed on to star together in another film Animal Rescue. Production is looking to begin in May.

Daniel Espinosa is also attached to direct the WWII era yakuza thriller The Outsider. Setup at Warner Bros. the film focuses on an American former prisoner-of-war who rises in the yakuza in post-World War II Japan. Michael Fassbender is attached to star as the American. Sounds like The Outsider has been delayed because of Fassbender's shooting of X-Men: Days of Future Past.

TrackingBoard states that Legendary Pictures is considering Johnny Depp to star in Warcraft. It was announced yesterday that Duncan Jones (Moon, Source Code) would be replacing Sam Raimi as the film's director. Jones had been previously linked for Man of Steel and The Wolverine. Pirates of The Caribbean 5 is currently still being written and Depp recently signed on to Wally Pfister's digital thriller Transcendance (another project with WB). It's unknown if Depp will be able to make Warcraft considering shooting is expected to begin in the Fall and could conflict with other productions.

January 30, 2013

HeatVision reports British director Duncan Jones (Moon, Source Code) has been hired to helm the live-action film adaptation of the wildly popular fantasy video game series Warcraft. Previously, Sam Raimi had been hired to direct but left to make Oz, The Great And Powerful for Disney instead. It sounds like the studio is gearing up for some exciting genre-based projects including Guillermo del Toro's robots versus kaiju flick Pacific Rim and Gareth Edwards' Godzilla reboot. Legendary is looking to start production in the Fall and eying a 2015 release date.

LatinoReview's El Mayimbe has been dropping Marvel scoops for years and has been promising a big one for Super Bowl Sunday. Previously, dropping Justice League details including the villain and the final superhero lineup. He's been posting instagram hints on his Twitter account slowly giving fans a chance to guess what the Marvel story is concerning. However, I think I may have cracked his big story. While Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Guardians of The Galaxy are about to shoot this Spring/Summer the final Phase Two film Avengers 2, hasn't been really talked about. Could El Mayimbe be hinting to Avengers 2?

Concerning the star hint, my first thought went to Captain America transformation into Agent Steve Rogers. As the star logo is on the chest of Steve's updated costume when he gave up the Captain America mantle to Bucky. Giving the impression that Cap would be having a radical costume chance in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Another was that Rhodey (Don Cheadle) might be joining Avengers 2 as War Machine. That doesn't seem to be the case as El Mayimbe has stated nobody had actually guessed right.

The first image he posted was a simple diamond shape he with his hands over his chest. This sort of gives it away, as Vision has always had a diamond on his costume's chest and one on his forehead.

It's possible that he's about to announce that Vision and Ms. Marvel joining the Avengers 2 conflict as new members. The star image looks like it's on the side of a jet, Ms. Marvel (Carol Danvers) starts out as a test pilot in the Air Force before gaining superpowers during an accident involving an explosion of alien (Kree) technology. She has similar powers to Rogue (who stole her power from Danvers placing her into a coma as a result) minus the ability to tae energy/powers. The other image is obviously him mimicking the Vision's diamond on his chest. An android built by Ultron who starts out as an Avengers villain only to become of their most loyal members.

Kevin Feige and Joss Whedon have talked about including at least two new members for Avengers 2. While Black Widow and Maria Hill represented the female side of the MCU neither have superpowers. There has been talk of including a superheroine for the sequel. A rumor sparked around the release of Avengers that Agent Phil Coulson might have been life-model decoy (a reference to androids made by Stark when Coulson comes calling) aka Vision. His involvement in a post-Avengers S.H.I.E.L.D. series is giving the impression that Phil actual didn't die in the film. Yet, if he did it's possible they could have made a android version of him to try to resurrect Nick Fury's "good eye". Again, this is a comic book universe and stranger things have happened. In the comics Vision is given the personality of Wonder Man a character that Joss has stated he will never use. I could see them somehow granting Vision Phil's brain patterns instead.

There have also been rumblings that Marvel was looking to make a Ms. Marvel film but were holding it off to find the right actress to carry the franchise. A casting rumor appeared from a UK outlet pointing to ex-Black Widow Emily Blunt (Looper) and Disney alumni Ruth Wilson (Luther, Lone Ranger) in the mix for Avengers 2 as Carol Danvers/Ms. Marvel. In my own opinion, Jessica Chastain seems equally possible as a candidate previously being offered a supporting role in Iron Man 3. She turned it down to make Zero Dark Thirty instead. That role leading her to earn her second Oscar nomination, this time Best Actress. When she commented on turning down the part Jessica seemed hopeful to be cast in another Marvel film. She also had two number one films this month with Mama and the wide-release of Zero Dark Thirty. Making her sort of a box office draw now.

This is just my speculative mind at work here. I don't think we'll know for sure until this Sunday. It does seem to fit into previously things that have been rumored/talked about by the folks at Marvel. Along with the talk of adding a superpowered female character to the Avengers lineup. Plus, I could see a Ms. Marvel film fitting in nicely into the Phase Three lineup beside Ant-Man and Doctor Strange (hopefully Black Panther as well!).

HeatVision reports that Eva Green (300: Rise of An Empire, Casino Royale, Kingdom of Heaven) has landed the femme fatal role of Ava Lord in Sin City: A Dame To Kille For. Lord is the character the title refers to and will see Green share scenes with Josh Brolin's Dwight. In the early days of the sequel names like Rachel Weisz and Angelina Jolie were linked for Ava.

Deadline reports that newcomer Julia Garner (Perks of Being A Wallflower, Martha Marcy May Marlene) will play a stripper opposite Joseph Gordon-Levitt's smooth gambler character Johnny in Sin City: A Dame To Kill For.

Take with the biggest grain of salt because this site hasn't proved creditable but MCU says they have a scoop concerning Guardians of The Galaxy. This time it concerns the female lead of Gamora who is the immortal adopted daughter of Thanos who ends up joining the Guardians. A whole heap of names have been linked male roles. Starting with Star-Lord that includes Joel Edgerton, Jack Huston, Lee Pace, Chris Lowell, Eddie Redmayne, Zachary Levi, Jim Sturgess, Michael Rosenbam, Sullivan Stapleton, Garrett Hedlund, James Marsden, Wes Bentley and Cam Gigandet. Jim Carrey and Adam Sandler were recently linked for comedic roles likely aimed for Rocket Raccoon and Cosmo. A small group of names were also mentioned for Drax such as Isaiah Mustafa (Old Spice Guy), Brian Patrick Wade (Generation Kill) and Dave Bautista (Riddick, Man With The Iron Fist). Michael Rooker (Walking Dead, Super, Slither, Henry) also seems game for any role that James is able to give him, Thanos anyone?

January 28, 2013

Roman Coppola revealed a couple of weeks ago that he was once attached to make a live-action Doctor Strange film back in the days of Roger Corman's Fantastic Four. His vision never did make it to cameras and the company eventually created Marvel Studios to control quality. Roman has become a very accomplished screenwriter earning an Oscar nomination this year for co-writing Moonrise Kingdom with Wes Anderson. He previously worked as second unit director on films such as Dracula (cutting his teeth in the horror genre) and Lost In Translation. While promoting his new film Charlie Swan (which he directed) he commented if on he'd still be interested in making Strange to FlickeringMyth (via CBM). Marvel recently announced that the occult superhero would apart of their Phase Three lineup.

“Nowadays it’s over saturated with so many comic book movies. It has lessened in my mind. In the past, 15 to 20 years ago, when I talked about Doctor Strange most of the comic book movies were terrible. They’ve [I’m speaking of the Marvel Universe] managed to make them more true to the spirit of the comics as I recall reading them as a boy. If someone said to me, ‘We’d love you to do Doctor Strange. Run with it. What’s your take on it?’ I’d be delighted to have a shot at that but it seems that many comic book movies are made with a certain mentality that pervades all of them. If I had my choice I’d rather do an individualistic than a factory movie but you never know. I’m open to whatever adventure comes my way.”

I'd love to see Coppola direct theres another name I'm dying to see get involved. That is legendary comic book writer/novelist Neil Gaiman. He's been invovled with the development of the Strange film back when Guillermo del Toro was attached to direct. Neil was tasked to come up with a script which ultimately also fell-threw. He's obsessed with Steve Ditko (who created Strange) participating in Jonathan Ross' Searching For Steve Ditko documentary. Gaiman has enough geek credibility like Whedon to bring a faithful but cinematic take on the Sorcerer Supreme. His novel Stardust was adapted into a film by Matthew Vaughn. Gaiman wrote screenplays for Beowulf and Coraline along with two episodes of Doctor Who. Having Gaiman do re-writes on the existing script written by Joshua Oppenheimer and Thomas Donnelly or at least consulting is a must.

There has been rally to get Benedict Cumberbatch cast in the lead role. It's not hard to see why he would be perfect for the role with his series Sherlock amassing such a loyal international following. Not to mention film credits that include in Star Trek Into Darkness, War Horse, Atonement, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, and Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug/There And Back.

You might remember a couple of years back actor Paul Giamatti said he wanted a shot at playing Spidey villain The Rhino while being interviewed on Conan. HeatVision reports that the actor is now in talks for the role in Amazing Spider-Man 2. Originally, the character was a criminal from the Soviet Block that used a super suit to steal gold and rob banks. It's unknown which version of The Rhino we'll be seeing but the old talk of the Sinister Six is looking like a possibility now.

British actress Felicity Jones best known for Like Crazy is also being linked for an unnamed role. It's possible she could be up for Felicia Hardy/Black Cat or Parker's Daily Bugle co-worker Betty Brant. Black Cat is a sometime crime-fighting partner of Spider-Man's and also happens to be in Peter's circle of high school/college friends. The character had originally been included in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man 4. Before the production was shutdown Anne Hathaway had the role. She would eventually take a similar part in The Dark Knight Rises as Selina Kyle/Catwoman. Jones has previously been linked for female leads before with Snow White And Huntsman and Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

This casting is becoming overwhelmingly awesome. The rest of the new additions include Jamie Foxx (Django Unchained) as Max Dillion/Electro, Dane Dehaan (Lawless, Chronicle) as Harry Osborn and Shailene Woodly (Descendants) as Mary Jane Watson. Amazing Spider-Man 2 will be swinging into theaters on May 2nd 2014.

MTV caught up with Community and Five-Year Engagement actress Alison Brie about her rumored involvement with Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Alison says she isn't "opposed" to a role when asked about being linked for the sequel and gives some praise to The Russo Brothers. The pair who will be helming the film are also writers/showrunners on Community. A previous working relationship with the directors wouldn't hurt her chances.

Brie might not have to break any kneecaps to get a role in "The Winter Soldier," as she's already rumored for one of the film's leads. For now, her lips are sealed on the prospect. "But I wouldn't be opposed to it," she said."I'm excited that they're going to do it. I think they're incredible. Everything they do is incredible. It'll be a nice change for those Marvel superhero movies, to have a fresh take on it.”

January 27, 2013

According to Variety Paramount has confirmed that Bad Robot and J.J. Abrams will be involved with both Star Trek 3 and Mission: Impossible 5. While his role as director for Star Trek 3 is unlikely it hasn't been mentioned that a search for a new director has begun. Christopher McQuarrie is being looked for MI5 while Star Trek 3 is only in development phase without a completed script.

THR adds that Abrams can move Disney's purposed Summer 2015 release date for Episode VII. Which means depending on the project's development it could be released earlier or later. I have to assume that a new Star Wars film would need at least a year for artists to put together set designs, action sequences and alien concepts. We should be expecting a little more than just a green-screen production this time around.

In theory, he could choose to hold off the release of the next Star Wars until 2016. Perhaps, giving him all the time needed to be involved with pre-production on Episode VII along with a small window to make Star Trek 3. At the very least helping Paramount find a new director and continue creative choices as producer. It wouldn't be shocking to see a director like Jon Favreau (Iron Man) or Drew Goddard (Cabin In The Woods) coming in to pickup the baton.

January 26, 2013

Bryan Singer is seemingly tweeting every casting addition to X-Men Days of Future Past. He's just announced the return of Ellen Page, Anna Paquin and Shawn Ashmore who play Kitty Pryde, Rogue and Iceman. It's safe to assume the rest of the surviving X-Men from X3 will be returning too.

TheArnoldFans were able to speak with legendary action director Paul Verhoeven (Starship Troopers, Robocop, Black Book, Flesh+Blood) and if he'd want a crack at direct Legend of Conan. It's shocking that Universal or Arnold haven't contacted him yet. The project could see Paul re-teaming with Schwarzenegger previously making the original Total Recall. Verhoeven seems optimistic if they offered it to him. Many consider Verhoeven a pioneer of the 80's action genre bringing in a element of satire to his extremely violent projects. Ending up with films that are still considered classics in the sci-fi action genre. If anyone could re-capture the magic of the Conan The Barbarian it would be Verhoeven. Arnold has recently revealed the studio is looking to shoot in New Zealand (possibly by the end of the year) and could have Weta Workshop involved in the production.

"If they asked me, I’d certainly love to – let’s put it that way," he says. "But I don’t know what the script is. I don’t know what Arnold wants. I’m a big fan in fact of Conan. That’s a great movie and I found that the composer, Basil Poledouris, basically inspired many of my movies [the soundtracks] like Flesh and Blood, RoboCop, Starship Troopers and Total Recall. The score of Conan is great. The style of editing that Milius used was very beautiful, and Arnold does a great job. He was really the perfect choice."

LucasFilm/Disney have released the official announcement on the StarWars site that J.J. Abrams (Star Trek 1-2, MI3, Super 8) will indeed be directing the first installment in a new Star Wars trilogy (Episode VII). Casting and plot points will be speculated over the coming months but the later we might have to give up on. Considering how secretive Abrams is about his projects. They also include that Lawrence Kasdan (writer of Empire Strikes Back, Return of The Jedi) and Simon Kinberg (writer of Sherlock Holmes, X-Men Days of Future Past) will consult on the film.

After a bevy of emails and phone calls, the formalities have been wrapped up, and at long last everyone can exhale and properly share the word with an excited Internet. Yes, J.J. Abrams will direct Star Wars: Episode VII, the first of a new series of Star Wars films to come from Lucasfilm under the leadership of Kathleen Kennedy. Abrams will be directing and Academy Award-winning writer Michael Arndt will write the screenplay.

"It's very exciting to have J.J. aboard leading the charge as we set off to make a new Star Wars movie," said Kennedy. "J.J. is the perfect director to helm this. Beyond having such great instincts as a filmmaker, he has an intuitive understanding of this franchise. He understands the essence of the Star Warsexperience, and will bring that talent to create an unforgettable motion picture."

George Lucas went on to say "I've consistently been impressed with J.J. as a filmmaker and storyteller." He's an ideal choice to direct the new Star Wars film and the legacy couldn't be in better hands."

"To be a part of the next chapter of the Star Wars saga, to collaborate with Kathy Kennedy and this remarkable group of people, is an absolute honor," J.J. Abrams said. "I may be even more grateful to George Lucas now than I was as a kid."

J.J., his longtime producing partner Bryan Burk, and Bad Robot are on board to produce along with Kathleen Kennedy under the Disney | Lucasfilm banner."

Also consulting on the project are Lawrence Kasdan and Simon Kinberg. Kasdan has a long history with Lucasfilm, as screenwriter on The Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark and Return of the Jedi. Kinberg was writer on Sherlock Holmes and Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

Abrams and his production company Bad Robot have a proven track record of blockbuster movies that feature complex action, heartfelt drama, iconic heroes and fantastic production values with such credits as Star Trek, Super 8, Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol, and this year's Star Trek Into Darkness. Abrams has worked with Lucasfilm's preeminent postproduction facilities, Industrial Light & Magic and Skywalker Sound, on all of the feature films he has directed, beginning with Mission: Impossible III. He also created or co-created such acclaimed television series as Felicity, Alias, Lost and Fringe.

January 25, 2013

Marvel's Kevin Feige has confirmed to MTV that previously announced Ant-Man and Doctor Strange will be among the post-Avengers 2 releases in Phase Three. It's the first time Marvel has been certain the Sorcerer Surpreme's solo film was ready to go. Last year the rumor of Doctor Strange showing up in Thor: The Dark World sparked some speculation if Dr. Stephen Strange had already been cast. A name that had been widely rumored was Viggo Mortensen but Marvel had to come out deny the rumor. Other actors that have been mentioned for the project include Benedict Cumberbatch and Javier Bardem. I'm still holding out hope that Oscar winner Jean Dujardin (The Artist, Wolf of Wall Street) will be considered.

“‘Ant-Man’ is definitely part of Phase Three. Like ‘Iron Man 3,’ it’s certainly set in the Marvel Universe, but it’s also through the lens of Edgar Wright — which is the only reason we’re making the movie…I’ve known Edgar since our first lunch together at Comic-Con in 2004. He asked me what Marvel was doing with ‘Ant-Man’ — we weren’t even a studio then; what a difference eight years makes! It’s very much an ‘Ant-Man’ origin movie from the perspective of Edgar Wright and his co-writer Joe Cornish. It will of course be firmly planted in the MCU, but a different corner than we’ve seen before.” “Beyond that… ‘Ant-Man’ is the only one officially announced, but you probably don’t have to look too far to guess at the next list of characters we’re toying with and beginning to develop…’Doctor Strange,’ which I’ve been talking about for years, is definitely one of them. He’s a great, original character, and he checks the box off this criteria that I have: he’s totally different from anything else we have, just like ‘Guardians of the Galaxy.’ He’s totally different from anything we’ve done before, as is ‘Ant-Man,’ which keeps us excited.”

While a director hasn't been announced for Doctor Strange. There was talk of a script circling to unnamed candidates back in late 2011. It's possible around the release of Iron Man 3 in May the studio could name this director or save the news for Comic-Con in July. A release date hasn't been mentioned by Marvel but I could see it's occult/horror themes playing well in Fall 2015. Yet, with two releases already locked-in with Avengers 2 in May and Ant-Man in August it's likely Strange could be pushed to May 2016.

While SlashFilm has been fuelling the rumor that a female Skywalker would be the focus of the new trilogy. They've recently dropped another tidbit of information that could see a female lead in J.J. Abrams' Episode VII. Apparently, when Matthew Vaughn was still in the running he had pitched Chloë Grace Moretz ( 500 Days of Summer, Kick-Ass 1-2) to LucasFilm. This could really mean that the studio is looking to have the trilogy centered around this unnamed female Skywalker (likely Jaina Skywalker Solo).

Moretz has taken on a lot of adult material in her career including the iconic Hit-Girl in the Kick-Ass films. Along with taking on the role of scream queen in horror remakes Let Me In and Carrie. I don't doubt the studio could still consider her but Abrams will likely cast his own choices. At least we have an idea that the lead of the new trilogy could be a teenage girl. Hitting the trend of a female driven franchise such as Hunger Games, would also help fans get a fresh take on the Star Wars universe.

January 24, 2013

Lesson learned today, never trust an official denial from anyone. TheWrap has reported on the hottest story of 2013 as they reveal J.J. Abrams has been chosen to direct Star Wars Episode VII. Apparently, Ben Affleck was also a candidate and has been linked for Justice League for months now. It's not a shocking move considering how wonderful Abrams was able to resurrect the tired Star Trek franchise with his reboot. Abrams is a self-professed Star Wars geek while not really being into Trek when he landed that franchise. During the speculation of the project's director J.J.'s name kept coming up. He would eventually publicly denied wanting to make it which was a misdirection by the director. It will be interesting to see how this effects the Episode VII pre-production which is rumored to start this Spring. Considering Star Trek Into Darkness is releasing in May then in many other markets afterwards. It's release date is expected for Summer 2015 alongside Avengers 2 and Justice League.

It's possible this news could give Paramount the idea to move on with the Star Trek franchise without Abrams. However, nothing says this would effect current development on Star Trek 3. The third installment is only in a story-phase while the screenwriters are focusing on other projects. Nothing says Abrams won't be able to finish his Trek trilogy then hand it off to another director.

LatinoReview has another scoop this time concerning Justice League. They say the official lineup for the film includes the main five heroes Batman, Superman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman and The Flash. The site previously revealed that the villain of the film would be Darkseid. The cast hasn't been locked down but Henry Cavill and Joseph Gordon-Levitt could be the leads. There hasn't been word if the studio is looking to re-cast Green Lantern after the box office disaster. Switching out Hal Jordan for Jon Stewart could be how the studio fixes Green Lantern. A director for the large event film hasn't been hired but is expected to go into production this year with a Summer 2015 release date.

It's possible we could also be seeing cameos from Aquaman and Martian Munhunter.

January 23, 2013

BatmanOnFilm has a rumor that Warner Bros. could be looking to release the next Batman film in 2017. The biggest problem I have with this rumor is that Warner Bros. isn't likely to wait 4-5 years to release the next Batman film. It's one of their biggest money-makers and the wheels should be rolling a lot sooner than 2017. There has been speculation that John Blake (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who was handed the keys of the batcave at the end of Rises would become the new Batman. As both Christopher Nolan and Christian Bale have exited the franchise if the studio wants to keep using the Nolan-verse they won't be able to use Bruce Wayne. I wouldn't be shocked if they went towards a Batman Beyond angle. Where a new crime fighter dons a new high-tech Batman suit replacing an aging Bruce Wayne. This could leave the door open for Lucius Fox and Alfred Pennyworth to assist Blake.

It's been mentioned for a while now that Warner Bros. is looking to move forward with Batman films post-Christopher Nolan. Even before the release of The Dark Knight Rises talk of a reboot two years down the road had been circling. Rumblings of Joseph Gordon-Levitt being considered for the Batman role in Justice League has also been spreading like wildfire. While the actor himself has kept mum about taking the Dark Knight mantle stating his involvement would come down to it's script and director. Neither at this point have been announced to even exist. Justice League is expected to begin production sometime this year with a 2015 release date slated. We should know for sure in the coming months.

Variety reports that David Fincher could be returning back to his crime thriller roots with an adaptation of Gillian Lynn's Gone Girl. The director is in talks to helm the 20th Century Fox project which has Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon producing and could end up with a role. The thriller focuses on a woman who disappears on the day of her fifth wedding anniversary with evidence pointing to the husband.

It's possible that Fincher could still make 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea over at Disney but talks to get Brad Pitt in the lead role didn't workout. Fincher had also been linked to direct Star Wars but had reportedly turned it down in it's early development stages. Gone Girl would take up less of his time and could allow him to go straight into the Dragon Tattoo sequels afterwards.

An update concerning The Girl Who Played With Fire and The Girl Who Kicked The Hornets Nest is also mentioned. Currently, a script for The Girl Who Played With Fire had been ordered by Sony but hasn't been completed as Steve Zallian is busy with an HBO project. There had been expectations to cutdown production costs the two sequels would shoot back-to-back. David could be looking to make a film during the writing of the sequels. He hasn't officially confirmed he will be back to direct but Rooney Mara and Daniel Craig will be returning to their respected roles.

The very reliable LatinoReview is reporting that Marvel Studios is looking into getting both Jim Carrey and Adam Sandler for the upcoming production of James Gunn's Guardians of The Galaxy. While the roles aren't named they speculate it could be for Rocket Raccoon and Groot. Those roles would likely involve motion capture and voice acting similar to Mark Ruffalo's work as the Hulk.

Jim Carrey has had experience with motion capture when he made A Christmas Carol. Carrey recently filmed a supporting role in Kick-Ass 2 which could help his credibility with comic book fans. Also, opening doors for him to tackle action roles in the future. He's tackled dramatic roles in Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind and Man On The Moon. I feel like if Marvel/Gunn has re-imagined Groot like they with Drax and Gamora, Carrey could make a great Groot.

Adam Sandler on the on the other hand has been loosing a lot of respect with a wheel-house of terrible low-quality comedies recently. It's possible taking on a lovable role like Rocket Raccoon would help his image with audiences. Sandler took on a lead voice role in Hotel Transylvania and has decent roles in the past with Punch-Drunk Love, Airheads and The Wedding Singer. So it's possible he could knock it out of the park if he actually put some effort into this project. Quentin Tarantino originally wanted Sandler for the role of Sgt. Donny Donowitz (Eli Roth) in Inglorious Basterds but he had to turn it down because it conflicted with the shooting of Funny People.

The site also mentions new names to the candidates running for the lead role of Peter Quill. They include Wes Bentley (Hunger Games, American Beauty), Chris Lowell (Up In The Air, The Help), and Cam Gigandet (Easy A, Pandorum, Twilight, Never Back Down). These names don't exactly inspire me to get excited but none-the-less they could end up with supporting roles instead of Star-Lord. Marvel is known to test everyone in Hollywood for leads to make sure they get the right actor in the role.

However, out of the new names I think Chris Lowell has a decent shot. Lowell has history on television with supporting roles on Veronica Mars and Private Practice. While also landing roles in films such as The Help alongside Emma Stone (Gwen in Amazing Spider-Man) and Jessica Chastain (who was looked at for Iron Man 3). He also had a small part in Jason Reitman's Up In The Air.

January 20, 2013

HeyUGuys were able to confirm with actor Toby Jones that he would be reprising the role of Dr. Zola in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Fans picked up on tidbits in First Avenger that could have been setting up a present-day Zola. Testing out brainwashing techniques with Bucky. Barnes would eventually get the full treatment after being turned into a cyrogenic assassin with a robotic arm known as Winter Soldier. It's possible that Dr. Zola could behind the creation of the Winter Solider along with his new robotic body. The blueprints for had been an Easter Egg in the first film. While it hasn't been confirmed rumors have been circling that Baron Zemo or Baron Strucker could be the main villain pulling the strings.

Felicity Jones who had been linked for the female lead in the film has denied she was ever in the running to the site as well. Mary Elizabeth Winstead had previously done same in recent interviews. It's possible that rumored front-runners Anna Kendrick (Scott Pilgrim, End of Watch, Up In The Air) and Jessica Brown Findlay (Downton Abbey, Winter's Tale) are still being considered.

"No, I’m not part of that. I haven’t auditioned for that one and I never even saw the script."